Following on from the successful 2012 race, we are already underway with plans for 19th January 2013. Further details will be posted here shortly... meanwhile thanks to all who helped us host another amazing race.
Beautiful weather once again provided a spectacular race, with plenty of excitement from the larger field of entrants - especially from the larger group of leading riders... our congratulations to Jeremey Vennel and Judith May - our winning riders for 2012.
Come back soon.. for further updates throughout 2012... as we prepare for 19th January 2013...
Best regards
Kathy Sheldrake
8 October 2011
" I looked at writing a new article but after re reading Lisa's write up from the 2007 event it is still relevant and the hills won't have changed. We are thrilled to hear Lisa has decided to return for the 5th running of GWAloop now being held on the 21st January 2012. Lisa was a very worthy winner and we welcome her back.
"Lisa's Payne's 2007 article"
GWALOOP - a 'Challenging' day out on the bike in rural East Coast District
Thought it was about time I fulfilled my commitment to get a note to the will be riders entering in this years GWALOOP, I did it last year and encourage you to get on your bike now so you enjoy the day as much as I did... I know winter training sucks but it will make he GWALOOP 'fun'.
'Challenging' ride is a bit of an understatement for the weekend warrior bike rider like I am ... this is Terry's description ... about 4 hours into the ride last year I had some slightly more colorful names for it but probably not fit for print. This said it has to be one of the most rewarding and diverse (terrain wise) days out on a bike.
Kathy asked me to write a short passage describing the race and my experience to give others a feel for it. My first attempt was pages long, its hard to write a short descriptive story about a 204km 'challenging' ride, however it's amazing how fresh some of the memories still are .. so I thought I would share those with you. There were some highpoints along the way, four major ones also known as big climbs ... my legs can attest to this. So in order of events ...
Memory 1 - the fresh clear morning, it felt like there was a bit of frost, and in my rush to leave Auckland the night before I was short a layer or two and nothing matched ... however as the day was such a beauty my attire or lack of it turned out to be the least of my worries.
Memory 2 - cruising around the Gizzy district vineyards soaking in the morning sun and being dropped off the Sheldrake Bros group as they surged on - bless them - local knowledge and cycling talent put them in a different league. My legs and my head made an early decision to ride at my pace and leave the red zone till the hills.
Memory 3 - first climb - Whareata 'Hill' a big climb ... red zone ... but beautiful and worth it for the awesome down hill into Wairoa. Shortly after departing Warioa calculating that 70kms in was nowhere near the half way mark.
Memory 4 - the fantastic country road through past Tiniroto with huge climbs and descents, horses and no traffic!! The valley of pain and pleasure ... it was no cruise!
Memory 5 - Matt telling me he wasn't feeling too flash and me thinking good we should ease up... then been caught by Kimbal and thinking how much fresher she looked than I felt.
Memory 6 - The huge sweeping downhill and only 25kms to go. Matt telling me on no uncertain terms that I was allowed to ease up and wait at the bottom of the downhill - more hurt but not far to go now!
THE FINISH LINE ... GETTING OFF MY BIKE ... MOVING AWAY FROM THE BIKE .... LYING DOWN ... DRINKING COKE AND EATING MUFFINS with a huge sense of satisfaction.
It was a 'Challenging Day Out' but so worth it, I will be back - not in 2008 as I am overseas, but in 2009.
It's the best launch pad ride for a summer of biking fitness .... Just remember get fit before you attempt the 204km event.
My TIPS for a great day out:
- train on hills, then do some more hills and finish off your training with hills;
- talk a buddy into joining you so you have some one to soak up the headwinds experience and compare war stories with when you get back;
- don't think you are half way when you get to Wairoa ... you will be gutted;
- know that there are no less than three significant hills in the rural road through Tiniroto ...this is the 'hurt box'
- the last 25kms consist of an awesome downhill and a flat finish
Terry and Kathy have done a great job of setting up a 'challenging' race in their beautiful back door step. Don't miss it!! Get out on your bike now, it will make the day that much more enjoyable!
...with thanks Lisa... best wishes to all competitors...
Planning now under way for 19 January 2013